CELLPHONE FILM MAKING

Today, the modern phones give us the technological

advantages to get the images right. Capturing is more or less
taken care of. Most of the time, the task is to make what you
capture ‘speak’ in the right tone.

By the end of this effort, the videos you make should convey
information, and create a response in the viewer.
Understanding the dimensions in the way you work will make
you confident, and that will refine your interpretative style.
You can make a video to tell a story, a business idea, or a
video of yourself which will become your CV.

Use the following tips to make better looking videos using

your phone.

TIP 10 DETERMINE WHAT TO SHOOT

Depending on the task you have, you might need an interview,
documentation of activities,
Do you need permissions? Obtain if necessary.
If interviewing, define your team functions- who will shoot,
who will take notes, who will talk to the subjects etc.

TIP 9 LANDSCAPE VS PORTRAIT

Vertical frame was not practical for a film or video as the
reproduction was always in a horizontal format. In a
photograph, the print could be in vertical also, based on
context. This tradition restricts phone users also to hold the
camera or the view horizontally.

TIP 8 STAY STEADY

This looks like the simplest tip. Keep phone closer to your
body. If you have a phone stand, nothing like it. But you can
make good work without a stand also. Take care while
breathing.
TIP 7 LIGHT

There is no right or wrong light. When it comes to electronics,

like sensors and optics, in cameras and phones, light or lack
of light can cause electronic disturbances which we call grains.
Today’s cameras are very well advanced to make use of
available light, to make things extremely easy.

Try as much as possible to shoot your subjects in brightly lit

areas. Shadows and electronic disturbances could be avoided
by this.
One common problem while shooting is the position of light
source. If the light source is behind the subject, the subject
will look darker, for which naturally we adjust the overall
brightness. This could create imbalance in light. By changing
the positing of the camera, this could be adjusted.

If there is an issue with light sources, a second phone with

torch on could be used as a saver (not by pointing at the
subject’s face directly to scare). The torch light could be
bounced back at the subject too.

TIP 6 POSING YOUR SUBJECT

Have you got their consent? This is mandatory to tell them
how this might be used for, why you are doing it etc, before
they ask you. This creates a rapport with your subject.

The best poses are usually when your subject adopt

voluntarily. If they are waiting for your ‘direction’, encourage
them to go on natural.

Usually the question ‘where do I look when I talk’ is answered

as ‘please look at the camera lens’. This could be confusing to
some, to make them nervous. If they manage to speak to the
lens, great, else let your crew member stand behind in the
same level and let the subject talk to her.
TIP 5 COMPOSITION

This tip is with reference to ‘what you want your viewer to

see’. Sometimes you are restricted in where you can stand
while shooting. When your viewer sees your video, he might
see a back ground, or a foreground in the context of your
subject. Playing with this, focusing on the subject, gives
tremendous options to portray subject in focus.
You can lead the eyes of the viewer in the frame: Lines can
lead. Texture can lead.

TIP 4 USE THE GRID

Grid in your camera helps to decide framing your subject. In

composition, applying rule of thirds is a very effective
aesthetic measure. Once the image is divided into 2 horizontal
and 2 vertical lines, subject(s) could be composed using the
divided columns of intersecting points. This results in creating
compositions challenging to eyes, rather than at the center of
the frame. Keep your camera with grid option on.

TIP 3 ZOOM OR NO-ZOOM

In photography class or cinematography class, one tries to

learn not to use a zoom! This is to get used to a field of view
similar to the field of view of a single human eye. In phone
cameras, when you zoom, the electronics demands a much
steadier hand to keep your image shaky. So, if you want to
show your subject larger, go closer.

Going closer to subject will get a better sound also.

TIP 2 AUDIO

Usually live audio is recorded by specialists. In the context,

live audio could be recorded along with video. If you use an
external microphone, it records very well. If using the phone
mic itself, care should be taken about ambient sounds. There
could be a bird sound or traffic sound while you try to record
your subject’s voice. One team member paying attention to
only sound during the action could be of some help.

TIP 1 EDIT

After the shoot, we need to edit the footage.

Step 1 is to analyze the footage. Review it in the team.
Maintain a log to capture your observations which are relevant.
A good organized log will help to finish the work fast.
Step 2 is to crop and combine the footage which are needed.
There are many phone apps which allow you to do this in the
phone, like filmora, vivavideo, videotrim etc.
In windows, we have video editor which can crop, add music
and share.
In iOS, there is iMovie which is a very easy application.

The secret to the good visual narrative outcomes is the

smooth blend of a teamwork and appropriate techniques.

All the best.